Program Overview

Elements of History and Theory of Photography

Description

The course explores aspects of documentary photography, portraiture, urban and landscape photography by analyzing the work of important photographers in the modern and contemporary periods. It also examines the relationship between photography and other forms of expression, such as cinema and literature. The acquisition of theoretical and interpretative tools to understand the photographic language and the historical, artistic, philosophical, and cultural implications of pictures and their production is a key aspect of the course.

Objectives

The course offers an introduction to the history and theory of photography, focusing on significant approaches and artists from the medium's origins to the present day.

Teaching Mode

The course is taught in presence.

Learning Methods

The course consists of lectures.

Examination Information

The examination is oral and takes place during the exam session.

Bibliography

Compulsory

• Barthes, Roland. La camera chiara. Nota sulla fotografia (1980). Torino: Einaudi, 2010. (Selection of passages indicated during the course)
• Benjamin, Walter. Piccola storia della fotografia (1931), in L'opera d'arte nell'epoca della sua riproducibilità tecnica: Arte e società di massa. Torino: Einaudi, 2000.
• Sontag, Susan. Sulla fotografia: Realtà e immagine nella nostra società (1977). Torino: Einaudi, 2009. (Selection of passages indicated during the course)

Deepening

• Grespi, Barbara, Villa, Federica. Il postfotografico. Dal selfie alla fotogrammetria digitale. Torino: Einaudi, 2024. (Selection of passages indicated during the course)
• Ritchin, Fred. Dopo la fotografia (2009). Torino: Einaudi, 2012. (Selection of passages indicated during the course)

Education

The course is part of the following programs:

• Master in Storia e teoria dell'arte e dell'architettura (120 ECTS), Lecture ex cathedra, Elective course, Elective, 1st year (3.0 ECTS)
• Master in Storia e teoria dell'arte e dell'architettura (120 ECTS), Lecture ex cathedra, Elective course, Elective, 2nd year (3.0 ECTS)
• Master in Storia e teoria dell'arte e dell'architettura (90 + 30 ECTS), Lecture ex cathedra, Corso a scelta (Arte e Architettura), Elective, 1st year (3.0 ECTS)
• Master in Storia e teoria dell'arte e dell'architettura (90 + 30 ECTS), Lecture ex cathedra, Corso a scelta (Arte e Architettura), Elective, 2nd year (3.0 ECTS)
• Master of Science in Architecture, Lecture ex cathedra, Elective, 1st year
• Master of Science in Architecture, Lecture ex cathedra, Elective, 2nd year
• Master of Science in Communication and Economics in Corporate Communication, Lecture ex cathedra, Thematic Area: Visual and Material Culture, Elective, 2nd year (3.0 ECTS)
• Master of Science in Communication and Economics in Marketing and Transformative Economy, Lecture ex cathedra, Thematic Area: Visual and Material Culture, Elective, 2nd year (3.0 ECTS)
• Master of Science in Communication in Media Management, Lecture ex cathedra, Thematic Area: Visual and Material Culture, Elective, 2nd year (3.0 ECTS)

Additional Information

• Semester: Fall
• Academic year: Not specified
• ECTS: 2.5
• Language: Italian
• Max number of students: 80